CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 223, 27 February 1915, Page 7

CRICKET.

POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS. SATURDAY COMPETITION. Pd. Won. Tie. Lost. Pts United Service.. 14 10 New Plymouth .12 8 Inglewood .... 12 8 Albion 14 (5 1 7 Tikorangi .... 13 4 La\f 13 2 1 10—17 THURSDAY COMPETITION. | Inglewood .... 5 4 I C Phoenix 5 3 Tikorangi .... 0 3 N.P.H.S 4 TO-DAY'S MATCHES. United Service v. New Plymouth, at v the Recreation Grounds; Inglewood v. Law, at Western Park; Tikorangi v. Albion, at Tikorangi. UNFINISHED GAMES. March 0, New Plymouth v. Inglewood. March 13, New Plymouth v. Tikorangi. .Inglewood v. Law. j Suggested friendly games to keep in (practice in view of the representative matches at Easter: March 13, United Service v. Albion. 20, Married v. Single (Mason v. Bain). NEWS AND NOTES.

To-day will see the conclusion of the third round of tho Saturday competition. Main interest will centre in the meeting of the two leading teams—New Plymouth and United' Service. Commencing tho third round. United Service appeared to hold an unassailable position with 1(5 points, while New Plymonth were away back fourth, with three points to their credit. The "first match of the round saw New Plymouth gain a three-point win by default from Xnglewood, whilst United"Service gained the same over Albion. The next three Saturdays proved disastrous to Service, who lost six noints, New Plymouth gaining four, and appearing likely to gain three more in the other uncompleted match. Should United Service be defeated to-day, their chances of wirninc premiership honors will be reduced, as New Plymouth will be in the lead, and to be robbed of the honor would have to be defeated by both Tnglewood «ind Tikorangi, in which case Inalewood would probably gain the championship. Should Service win to-day, the chain-1 pionshin for 1014-15 will be theirs beyond dispute. United Service will be represented by their strongest eleven, but New Plymouth will be without Weston and Channel!.

It ia a great pitv tliat the Tnglewnod team had to forfeit the match against New Plymouth. But' for that thev would have heen in the championship running. They vet have a remote change. McDonald scored 42 on Snturday in fine style. This veteran shows that he has not forgotten how to handle the bat. as he played pood cricket. liitting all round the wicket. Walter Matthews also kept wickets very well, permitting hut few extras. Five batsmen in each team scorer! double figures. Xorth Taranaki, challengers for the TTawke Cup, were beaten by over an innines. after liavintr disposed of the Shield holders for the smallest score, that they have made against challengers this year. Although the team was weakened by the absence of Roberts, Lash, and TTasell, local enthusiasts expected a closer finish when tlicv heard that Wanganui had been disposed of for "271. TCut thev failed miserably, scoring 81 and LIS. Two men in each innings made double figures, viz., Osborne and fiwillim and Medio and Purdue, and it is a striking commentary that three of the four were generally considered lucky to get their places. Mcfiie batted really well, and got top score of the match. The wicket beat the majority of the players, proving very true and fast, and suiting Mcfiie. who is used to Australian wickets. He went for the bowling, whereas the others merely scratched at the ball. Taranaki cricket will not improve until the wicket conditions are bettered. Holland, the fast bowler, who breaks, did most execution in the first innings, and Woods was most successful in the second. The fielding ot both teams was good, and Taranaki did not suffer by comparison. Some great catches were effected on either side. ITeskett and Robertson got a lot of work on the ball, and tied the batsmen up. Clarke bowled well, and witii a little practice on the wicket wouM come off. .Stainton kept* wickets well, but at times the bowlers would beat batsmen, stumps, and custodian. Stainton had a "rocky" time. He was struck severely twice with the ball, and the third time Murchie, swinging at a leg. ball,'struck Stainton on the head, and caused his retirement.

The averages of the Wanganui team in the Hawkc Cup matches this season are. as follow:

Batting.—Bcattic, No. of innings 1, times not out 0. total runs 81 average 81; Holland, .1. 1. 150 75; K. 11. Cave, 3, 0. 1(13, 54.3: Butterworth, I. 0/ 43, 45; ITusscy, 4, 1, 127. 42.3; H. U Cave, 3. 0, 118, 3.1.3; Orton, 4. 1, 85, 28.3; Wood. 4, 0. 113, 28.2; L. V. Cave; 3, O, 00. 23; Haines, 2, 1, 13. 13; Barrett. 3, 1. 23, 11.5; Furrie, 4, 0, 33, 8.2: Murchie, 1, 0 S. S; Williams, 1. O, 5, 5. Bowling.—Beniaii, 42 overs. 1(12 runs, 12 wickets, average 8.5; Wood. 18, 47, 5. 0.5; .Holland. 131. 370, 24, 15.4: L. T>. Cave, 01, 151, 7, 21.5; Husscv, 44, 175, 8, 21.8.